15th July 2026 in Community News
A simple idea is making a powerful difference for young people across South Tyneside, helping them get where they need to go to explore their future.
Supported by the Dogger Bank Community Fund, the South Tyneside Careers Transport Bursary is helping remove financial barriers that can prevent students from taking part in career focused visits and experiences.
Now in its second year, the bursary has supported 24 schools and nearly 1,000 young people, enabling 28 career-related visits. These have included trips to clean energy jobs fairs at the Port of Tyne, employer-led site visits, and work experience placements, giving students valuable insight into future education, training and career opportunities.
While transport funding might seem simple, it plays a vital role in ensuring more young people can access opportunities beyond the classroom. By backing practical solutions like this, the Dogger Bank Community Fund is helping to broaden horizons, build confidence and connect young people with the world of work.
Sara Dunlop, Economic Growth and Skills Service Manager at South Tyneside Council said:
“Connecting young people with real-world career experiences is vital in developing the skills pipeline our local businesses need. By opening their eyes to different career pathways and sectors, it helps to raise aspirations while showcasing the exciting jobs and industries that will shape the economy of tomorrow.”
If you would like to add in a call to action – any businesses interested in supporting the bursary scheme can e-mail: business@southtyneside.gov.uk
Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager at Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“It might not sound glamorous, but funding transport is one of the most effective ways we can support young people. By removing a simple barrier, we’re helping open up opportunities that can shape their future — giving more students the chance to explore careers, build confidence and see what’s possible.”
With continued support and potential contributions from local businesses, the ambition is to expand the bursary further, ensuring even more students across South Tyneside can benefit from meaningful careers experiences in the years ahead.
Businesses interested in supporting the bursary can contact business@southtyneside.gov.uk to find out more.
7th July 2026 in Community News
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has reached a major milestone after it was revealed that its STEM Careers programme has supported more than 10,000 South Tyneside youngsters over the past five years.
Equinor, SSE and Vårgrønn, the companies behind the world’s largest offshore wind farm, made a commitment in 2021 to ensure the benefits of the development were felt in communities across the North East and Yorkshire.
Central to the commitment was its STEM Careers programme, a series of engagement and outreach initiatives designed to provide young people across the region with the confidence and skills required to become work ready and embrace the careers of tomorrow.
South Tyneside is one of three areas to have benefited from the STEM Careers programme, with staff from Dogger Bank Wind Farm working alongside partners including South Tyneside Council and Young Enterprise to support school children across the borough.
This has included working with local schools to deliver a range of initiatives, including female leadership programmes, careers fairs, work experience placements, digital skills training, transport bursaries and its award-winning little inventors programme.
The 10,000 milestone was reached during a three-week programme of events held in schools and community hubs across the borough as part of its Future Ready Pilot, which is taking place from 29 June – 16 July and aims to ensure those young people who’ve been unable to secure vital work experience the opportunity to experience meaningful careers related opportunities.
Students from Jarrow School were among those to participate in a Young Enterprise session as part of their work experience programme. The session was supported by representatives from Arriva and the Cabinet Office who helped to offer a valuable insight into enterprise and the world of work.
Kay Doragh, Community Investment Manager for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said:
“Reaching more than 10,000 young people is a fantastic milestone and a testament to the strength of our partnerships. We’re proud to support young people across South Tyneside in building the confidence and skills they need for the future.”
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has committed to investing over £25million in communities across the North and North East of England throughout the operational phase of the wind farm, with South Tyneside youngsters set to benefit for at least another 30 years.
Alex Whelan, Economic Inclusion and Career Development Coordinator at South Tyneside Council, said:
“It is tremendous to see so many young people benefiting from the support programmes being delivered by the Dogger Bank Wind Farm team across the borough.
“By providing our young people with the confidence and skills required to enter the world of work, it is not only helping transform lives but is also ensuring our region’s businesses have a pipeline of talented youngsters coming through to fill the roles of tomorrow.
“We are delighted to have supported the efforts of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm team and welcome their continued investment in communities across the borough long into the future.”
One of the schools to have benefited from the STEM Careers programme is Jarrow School.
Charlotte Ridley, careers advisor at Jarrow school, said:
“We would like to give our sincere thanks to the Dogger Bank Community Fund for providing the funding required for Young Enterprise to deliver their launchpad programme and work with our year 10 students. The project has enabled them to develop key enterprise skills and will hopefully stand them in great stead as they progress in each of their chosen careers upon leaving school.”
As part of South Tyneside Council’s Building a Stronger South Tyneside campaign, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will host a dedicated employer session in September. Community Investment Manager Kay Doragh will showcase the impact of the wind farm’s STEM Careers programme and share practical examples of how businesses can engage with schools and young people.
For more information about Dogger Bank Wind Farm, visit: https://doggerbank.com/community
17th June 2026 in Uncategorised
Dogger Bank Wind Farm has supported a further 124 community groups through its community fund, with grassroots football clubs among those benefiting from investment aimed at strengthening local communities across the North East and Yorkshire.
From improving access to sport to creating more inclusive environments for young people, the latest round of funding highlights the vital role community clubs play in bringing people together and supporting wellbeing.
Among the groups supported are Whiteleas Junior Football Club in South Tyneside and Saltburn Athletic Football Club in Redcar & Cleveland, two clubs using funding to make a meaningful difference both on and off the pitch.
Supporting inclusion at Whiteleas JFC
Whiteleas Junior Football Club used its grant to support girls across the club, helping to break down barriers to participation in sport.
Funding was used to provide WUKA period pants for female players, giving them added confidence and comfort during training and matches.
A club contact said:
“They were all very appreciative of the grant for the items they received.”
Whiteleas JFC
The initiative has helped ensure that all players can continue to enjoy football without disruption, reinforcing the club’s commitment to inclusion and equal access to sport.
Investing in facilities at Saltburn Athletic FC
Saltburn Athletic Football Club, a long-standing community organisation founded in 1998, has also benefited from Dogger Bank’s community fund.
Established by three local police officers, the club provides opportunities for children and young people aged four to 17, alongside adult teams competing in local leagues and the FA Disability Cup.
Funding has supported the club’s PlayZone project, a modern recreational facility designed to increase physical activity and make football more accessible year-round. The fully fenced and floodlit pitch allows for use in all weather conditions, with a smart access system enabling easy booking and secure entry.
A club coach said:
“The support we received from Dogger Bank Community Fund over the years has allowed us to grow not only our facilities but our team numbers. We now have 10 junior teams of all ages, including a girls team, and adult and open age group teams, all playing in the local North Riding leagues.”
Saltburn Athletic Football club
Strengthening communities through sport
Grassroots football clubs play a vital role in fostering teamwork, confidence, and community spirit, and Dogger Bank’s continued investment reflects its long-term commitment to supporting local priorities.
The community fund supports projects across South Tyneside, Redcar & Cleveland and East Riding of Yorkshire, the areas closest to the wind farm’s construction and operations.
Through small grants, the fund helps local organisations enhance quality of life, encourage participation, and bring people together through shared activities.
This latest milestone builds on Dogger Bank’s wider ambition to create a lasting positive impact in coastal communities, supporting initiatives that promote opportunity, wellbeing and a stronger sense of community.
See who benefitted in the latest round of Dogger Bank operator fund grants:
18th May 2026 in Community News
Two of the Dogger Bank scholarship recipients at a celebration event in April 2026.
Students from South Tyneside, Redcar and Cleveland, and East Riding of Yorkshire are invited to apply for the 2026 round of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm Scholarship Programme. The scheme supports undergraduates pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees with £5,000 of funding.
Scholarships are available to help eligible students with the rising costs of further education and form part of Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s £26 million community investment dedicated to supporting local communities.
In 2026, a further 30 scholarships will be awarded, helping students from communities closest to the wind farm’s construction and operational bases to continue their studies with reduced financial pressure. The scholarship programme reflects Dogger Bank Wind Farm’s long‑term commitment to investing in young people and supporting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the regions where the project operates.
To date, 123 students have already benefited from Dogger Bank’s scholarship support. Recipients are studying a wide range of subjects, including physics, medicine, surveying and aerospace engineering, highlighting the breadth of opportunities across STEM disciplines.
Located more than 130km off the North East coast, Dogger Bank Wind Farm will generate enough electricity to power around six million UK homes. The project is being delivered as a joint venture between Equinor, SSE Renewables and Vårgrønn.
SSE Renewables is leading on the development and construction of the wind farm, while Equinor will operate Dogger Bank throughout its expected 35‑year operational life. Vårgrønn brings offshore wind expertise to the project.
The wind farm is being built in three phases – A, B and C – with grid connections in East Riding of Yorkshire and Teesside. An operations and maintenance base in South Shields will support the wind farm throughout its operational lifespan.
Applications for the 2026 Dogger Bank Scholarship Programme are now open here.
12th May 2026 in Operations, Project news
Appointment announced by turbine supplier GE Vernova
Maraen Port of Nigg in Scotland has been selected as a marshalling harbour for wind turbine components for phases B and C of Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The appointment has been announced by turbine supplier for the projects, GE Vernova.
The facility in the Scottish Highlands will be used to store and prepare GE Vernova’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine components before they are loaded onto installation vessels for transport and installation offshore at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm B and Dogger Bank Wind Farm C sites in the North Sea.
The 3.6 GW Dogger Bank project is the world’s largest offshore wind farm in construction. It is being built in three 1.2 GW phases: Dogger Bank A, B and C. The project is a joint venture between SSE (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).
Maraen Port of Nigg’s extensive deep-water quays, significant laydown capacity and heavy ground loading capabilities make it ideally positioned to support large-scale offshore wind deployment and complex project logistics. Since 2018, the port has supported four consecutive offshore wind campaigns and played a key role in the deployment of almost 4GW of UK offshore wind capacity.
Maraen Port of Nigg was acquired by Mitsui & Co. Ltd. and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. in 2025. The port is operated by Maraen and is a leading UK integrated, deepwater port for the energy industry and a designated Green Freeport.
Yoshihiro Hayakawa, Chief Executive Officer at Maraen, said:
“We are delighted to support GE Vernova and the Dogger Bank Wind Farm B and Dogger Wind Farm C projects at Maraen Port of Nigg. Building on our experience with SSE Renewables’ Seagreen and Beatrice offshore wind farms, this award reflects the infrastructure, capabilities and experienced teams we have developed at Nigg to support large-scale offshore wind projects safely and efficiently.
“The Port of Nigg continues to play an important role in supporting the UK’s offshore renewables supply chain and wider energy transition ambitions, and we look forward to working collaboratively with all projects partners as the campaign progresses.”
Justin Zerneri, VP Wind Global Projects, GE Vernova, said:
“We are pleased to have secured a site at the Port of Nigg as we continue to focus on completing these important projects. The Port of Nigg has the port facilities and skilled resources needed to be able to support projects of this scale and scope. We thank our customers and the Port of Nigg for their collaboration in moving into this new location.”
